Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands can book their spot at the World Cup with a win over Poland in this away fixture on Friday.
Poland and the Netherlands are the top two teams in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, and they are set to square up against each other in this all-important fixture on Friday evening in Warsaw.
The home team are second on the table with 13 points in their six outings, with four wins, a draw and a defeat. They are heading into this fixture on the back of consecutive wins in the qualifiers. Jan Urban’s men won 3-1 against Finland back in September, and their last outing was a 2-0 win over Lithuania.
The home team will certainly be confident about their chances of getting a positive result here. Having held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw back in September, Poland will now be eyeing a win as it will guarantee a top-two finish.
Meanwhile, the visitors are top of the group with 16 points in their six outings, thanks to five wins and a draw. Since playing out that draw against Poland, the Oranje have won each of their last three fixtures.
Koeman’s team were on fire during the last international break as they recorded 4-0 wins over Malta and Finland. They will be hoping to put up a similar display here. The Netherlands will go all out for the three points as it will seal their spot at the World Cup with a game to go. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Poland
Poland have a massive boost as Robert Lewandowski is back fit and bagged a hat-trick in his last outing for Barcelona. But the hosts do remain without the services of Lukasz Skorupski and Jan Bednarek for this round of fixtures.
The home team will lineup in a 3-4-3 formation, where Bartlomiej Dragowski will be in goal. In the heart of the defence, Przemyslaw Wisniewski will start alongside Jakub Kiwior and Tomasz Kedziora. The trio will receive significant support from Matty Cash and Michal Skoras, who will take charge as the wing-backs.
As for the midfield unit, Bartosz Slisz will partner with Piotr Zielinski in the centre of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure the Dutch midfielders do not dominate the proceedings.
Sebastian Szymanski and Jakub Kaminski will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for Poland against the Netherlands on Friday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Dragowski; Wisniewski, Kedziora, Kiwior; Cash, Slisz, Zielinski, Skoras; Szymanski, Lewandowski, Kaminski
Netherlands
Wout Weghorst has withdrawn from the squad because of a fitness issue. Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman has recalled Matthijs de Ligt following his impressive performances for Manchester United.
The Netherlands will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, where Bart Verbruggen will be in goal. Denzel Dumfries and Micky van de Ven could be the full-backs in this fixture, with Virgil van Dijk pairing up with Jurrien Timber in the central defensive unit.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch will form the double pivot in the middle of the pitch. The pair will look to shield the Dutch backline and control the tempo of the game.
Justin Kluivert will take up the number ten role, while Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Memphis Depay will spearhead the attack for the Netherlands against Poland.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, De Jong; Malen, Kluivert, Gakpo; Memphis
Key Stats
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in the last seven matches against Poland.
- Koeman’s team are currently on a ten-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
- 18 goals have been scored in the last seven matches between these two teams.
- Ronald Koeman’s team have won each of their last three away games against Poland.
- The Netherlands have scored 22 goals in their six outings, while they have conceded just six.
Player to Watch
Cody Gakpo
While Liverpool have endured an inconsistent start to the season, Cody Gakpo has been one of their standout performers. The Dutch international has registered seven goal contributions in 16 appearances across all competitions.
Although those numbers might not be extraordinary, his versatility has proven invaluable for Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Whenever the ball is at his feet, there is a sense that something could happen. Koeman will be hoping Gakpo can carry that form into this game and help his team secure their place at next summer’s World Cup.
Prediction
Poland 1-2 Netherlands
The Netherlands are expected to edge this one, but it won’t come easy against a Polish side that has found their rhythm in recent outings. With Robert Lewandowski back and the home crowd behind them, Poland will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
The hosts have been difficult to break down in recent fixtures, and their ability to hit on the counter could trouble the Dutch backline. However, Ronald Koeman’s team are in fine form and have looked ruthless in front of goal in recent weeks.
The Oranje possess too much attacking quality and balance across the pitch; they should have enough to secure all three points and seal their place at the World Cup. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for the away team.